Spin-hit Australia look to bounce back
30 Oct 2014 11:50 PM GMT
After failing another Asian spin test, Australia will strive to bounce back in the second and final Test against Pakistan starting in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The world number two team were all at sea against an inexperienced but effective Pakistan spin attack and suffered a crushing 221-run defeat in the first Test in Dubai. It was their fifth consecutive flop against spinners in Asia after being routed 4-0 in India last year.
Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, playing only his third Test, finished with seven wickets in the match as did debutant leggie Yasir Shah. Pakistan’s batsmen also had a field day. Veteran Younis Khan scored a century in each innings while Sarfraz Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad chipped in with hundreds.
Pakistan will maintain that spin pressure as they look to win their first Test series against Australia since beating them at home in 1994. Australian captain Michael Clarke promised a fight back.
Australia’s top order of David Warner, who hit a hundred in the first Test, and Chris Rogers were steady. But the middle order, especially Clarke and Alex Doolan, failed in both innings. Australia have the option of bringing in Glenn Maxwell, who can also bowl off-spin, for either Mitchell Marsh or Doolan.
The world number two team were all at sea against an inexperienced but effective Pakistan spin attack and suffered a crushing 221-run defeat in the first Test in Dubai. It was their fifth consecutive flop against spinners in Asia after being routed 4-0 in India last year.
Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, playing only his third Test, finished with seven wickets in the match as did debutant leggie Yasir Shah. Pakistan’s batsmen also had a field day. Veteran Younis Khan scored a century in each innings while Sarfraz Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad chipped in with hundreds.
Pakistan will maintain that spin pressure as they look to win their first Test series against Australia since beating them at home in 1994. Australian captain Michael Clarke promised a fight back.
Australia’s top order of David Warner, who hit a hundred in the first Test, and Chris Rogers were steady. But the middle order, especially Clarke and Alex Doolan, failed in both innings. Australia have the option of bringing in Glenn Maxwell, who can also bowl off-spin, for either Mitchell Marsh or Doolan.
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